Introduction to the UK Space Agency: http://www.bis.gov.uk/ukspaceagency 7th UK China Workshop 2011 Who We Are • Fully operational in April 2011 • Replaced the British National Space Centre (BNSC) • Integrates space budgets from four organisations and policy responsibilities from others more coherence and efficiency a sweep of activities from basic science, through technology and on to applications Dr David Williams • An executive agency of the Department of Business Chief Executive Innovation and Skills (BIS) • HQ in Swindon, Wiltshire • Offices in London and Harwell, Oxford Purpose of UK Space Agency • To meet national needs, the Agency is responsible for ensuring that the UK retains and grows a strategic capability in space-based systems, technologies, science and applications. • The UK Space Agency will therefore enable sustained economic growth, scientific excellence and societal benefits from the UK civil space sector. Our strategy ‘To lead and sustain the growth of the UK Space Sector’ A solid foundation to build on… Senior Management Three axes to deliver our strategy and objectives: D/PO provides the policy advice, regulation and backbone of the Agency D/TSE delivers the science, education and technology programmes nationally and through ESA D/GAE manages EU space policy & stimulates new applications of space in business and in government Policy and Programme priorities • European space policy • Telecoms and navigation • Global partnerships • New applications for Government • Technology and business • Education, Skills & Outreach • ESA’s Cosmic Vision • Mars exploration for • science using Earth science , technology and observation techniques inspiration • Global Monitoring for • UK in a global framework Environment and Security (GMES) UK space science & exploration Examples (left to right) GAIA astrometry mission ExoMars rover STEREO solar observatory Tackling the big questions: the origin of the Universe; How galaxies, stars and planets form; the search for life ESA Science Programme: exploring the Sun, our Solar System and the Universe beyond ESA Robotic Exploration Programme: exploration of Mars, leading to the first international Sample Return mission Bilateral Programmes: Cost effective niche science with international space agencies Technology - Existing National Programmes Basic R&D through to flight demonstrations and applications National Space Technology Programme Harwell and the wider UK space sector Agency partners (TSB, research International councils, MoD…) Space RAL Space: Innovation ESA Including Centre Ltd. existing facilities ESA Business EU space Harwell Space Incubator programme Cluster creating new space businesses Co-located universities and International industry ESA Centre Space Supporting and Agencies exploiting the campus • Applications environment • Climate Industry, Change universities and • Exploration research organisations In summary .